e-NEWS March 31, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,

We invite you to attend the Understanding Community Services workshop.

Explore the ins and outs of community services, receive a notebook filled

with information on services, agencies, eligibility criteria, costs, available

benefits and more. No fee for participants, but you must REGISTER by

calling 800-281-8252 or click here for online registration. Workshops held

from 6:30-8:30pm. View Flyer at http://www.efrconline.org/admin/files/FAMILY%20INFO%20SERIES%202%20.pdf

April 5 SD Regional Center, 8760 Cuyamaca St, Santee 92071
April 26 Public Health Center, 690 Oxford S, Chula Vista 91911
May 17 SD Regional Center, 4355 Ruffin Rd, San Diego 92123
May 24 SD Regional Center, 1370 W San Marcos Blvd San Marcos 92078
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UPCOMING EVENTS:

For all event details go to http://www.efrconline.org/calendar/maincal.cfm

By clicking on an event link. you may view the event details.

Don’t miss one of the five Town Hall meetings in April by the San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency. They are conducting a long-range needs assessment of the healthcare safety net serving San Diego County residents.

April 4 – El Cajon, April 5 – Chula Vista, April 17 – Oceanside & San Marcos

and April 18 – San Diego. For details, go to http://www.efrconline.org/admin/files/Healthcare%20Town%20Hall%202006.pdf.

Central San Diego:

3/31/2006 9:30am IEP Eyes workshopis designed to assist parents and professionalsin IEP implementation. Location: Atonement Lutheran Church located at 7250 Eckstrom Ave, San Diego, 92111.Call 858-467-9158.

4/01/2006 7:30am Migrant & Latino Parent Conference at Palomar College. Workshops (in Spanish) on health, school, students, community and family.Location: 1140 West Mission Road, San Marcos, CA 92069. Free childcare for children 5-12 years old. Lunch provided. Call 760-744-1150 x2594.
4/01/2006 7:30am Fiesta Educativa Décimo Aniversario de San Diego - "Celebrando una Década Sirviendo a Nuestra Comunidad Hispana". Orador de Honor es Dr. Edmundo Sánchez. Una conferencia en español para padres de niños con necesdidades especiales y para los profesionistas que trabajan con ellos. No habra guardería disponible. Para más información or para una beca, hable a Mireya Andrade DeValera al 619-594-7411 o Manuela Valdez al 858-490-8523. Lugar: San Diego County Office of Education, Joe Rindone Regional Technology Center, 6401 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92111. Ver el Volante.
4/04/2006 3:30-5:30pm Open Lab United Cerebral Palsy Association ofSan Diego operates the Assistive Technology Center Open Lab at6162 Mission Gorge Road, Suite F, San Diego, 92120.Individuals may explore a variety of augmentative communication devices and computer access equipment. No appointment necessary during Open Lab hours. Call 858-278-5420 for more information oremail at . Spanish translation available.

4/05/2006 9:30-11:30am Open Lab

4/05/2006 1:30pm Local Community Resources - workshop held at the Wiggin Center, 4350 Mt. Everest Blvd, San Diego, 92110. To register, please call 858-573-5959. San Diego City Schools Special Education Programs Division professional development workshops are open to parents and other interested parties. Registration required.

4/06/2006 8:00am One Big Table San Diego Food Bank's First Annual Conference on Hunger at San Diego Food Bank office, 9850 Distribution Ave, San Diego, 92121. Visit www.sandiegofoodbank.org.

4/06/2006 6:30pm CACSE meeting at the West Campus Auditorium at Lindbergh-Schweitzer Elementary School,4133 Mt. Albertine Avenue, San Diego, CA 92111.General meeting will follow at 7:30pm.Visit www.cacse.org.
4/11/2006 7:00pm The Challenge of Reading Banyan Tree Learning Center lecture series based on Dr. Mel Levine's Developing Minds Videos for teachers, parents and professionals at the Point Loma Center- 3555 Kenyon St#100, San Diego 92110, 619-226-6171..RSVP at 858-578-6616 ext. 100, or 619-226-6171. www.banyantlc.com/events.html.

4/12/06 2:00-4:00 pm Town Hall Meeting with the Mayor Jerry Sanders –

next to City Council Chambers where many people with disabilities will have

an opportunity to address our Mayor. Members from CRC will be present.

The goal is to fill this small room to the point we need to move to the Council Chambers. For additional information, please contactthe City of San Diego

Disability Services Office at 619-236-5555. View flyer.

4/15/2006 6:00am NAMI Walk Balboa Park, San Diego. For more information go to www.namisandiego.org or NAMI San Diego Walk Site
4/15/2006 6:00pm All Out for Autism San Diego County Chapter of the Autism Society of America invites you to our 6th annual fundraising event benefiting recreation programs for children with Autism. Visit www.sd-autism.orgor email
4/17/2006 1:00pm IDEA 04 Procedural changes, new special education law and new special education procedurespresented by Sheila Weinberg.Workshop held at the Wiggin Center, 4350 Mt. Everest Blvd, San Diego, 92110. To register, please call 858-573-5959.

4/21/06 School Problems Part I & 4/28/06 School Problems Part II -Workshops designed to assist parents in navigating the special education system and securing the most appropriate services and placement. Professionals also welcome. Location: Atonement Lutheran Church located at 7250 Eckstrom Ave, San Diego, 92111. Call San Diego County Learning Disabilities Associationat 858-467-9158 or visit http://www.LDASanDiego.org/events.php?evtID=1.

05/12/06 6:00-10:00pm DSA 1st Annual Membership Meeting and Dinner Dance: “Reach for the Stars...Creating A Vision for the Future” will be held at the Mission Valley Marriott. The keynote address will be given by Karen Gafney, an international self advocate and motivational speaker. Karen, a young woman who happens to haveDown syndrome, will share her challenges and triumphs.Ms. Gaffney, a dedicated athlete successfully swam the English Channel. She received her Associates degree in Science at Portland Community College.Call 619-276-4494 for details.

South County:

4/05/2006 2:00pm Healthcare public meeting – The San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency is conducting a long-range needs assessment of the healthcare safety net serving San Diego County residents. YOUR INPUT is needed. View Flyer for details. Location: Southwestern College, Student Union East (in cafeteria), 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA. Call Mike at 888.367.0911, Vickiat 619.515.6579 or Rene at 619.338.2888.

North County:

4/12/2006 7:00:PM The Challenge of Reading - Banyan Tree Learning Center lectureseries based on Dr. Mel Levine's Developing Minds Videos for teachers, parents and professionals at our Scripps/Mira Mesa Center, 9636 Tierra Grande #200, San Diego 92126,858-578-6616. RSVP at 858-578-6616 ext. 100, or 619-226-6171.

4/17/2006 9:00am Healthcare public meeting – see South County listing on 4/5/06 for details. Two locations offered on 4/17/06:
9:00-11:00am at the North Coastal Region Center community room, 1701 Mission Ave, Oceanside.
1:00-3:00pm at the San Marcos Community Center, 3 Civic Drive, San Marcos.

East County:

3/31/2006 8:30am Raising Grandchildren - workshop at Helix Charter High School, 7323 University Ave, La Mesa, 91941. For more information, call Su Hamano at 619-971-1560.

4/04/2006 2:00pm Healthcare public meeting – see South County listing on 4/5/06 for details. Location: East Region Adoption Services Bldg, conference room, 198 West Main St, #104, El Cajon, CA.

4/04/2006 6:00pm Planning for the Future - A series of workshops for parents and relatives caring for people with developmental disabilities.

The introductory session will be held atthe Home of Guiding HandsAdministrative offices, 1825 Gillespie Way, Suite 200, El Cajon, CA 92020.Reservations are necessary as space is limited. Call Wendy at: (619) 938-2876 to RSVP.

4/07/2006 1:00pm Health Fair - at the Ray and Joan Kroc Center, 6845 University Ave, La Mesa. SHARP Healthcare will offer health screenings and education, massage therapy.Project Concern International will be providing flyers on HIV prevention, sexual health, TB, and other national and international health issues. Some fun activities will be rock-climbing, possible soccer or football training camp, access to the Ray and Joan Kroc center and its sporting facilities. Afternoon snacks and beverages will be provided. PleasecontactKristin Leeat (858) 279-9690 ext. 324 .


Regional:

7/21-23/06 34th Annual National Down Syndrome Congress National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. http://www.ndsccenter.org/news/convention.php.

4/05/2006 CEC convention - Council for Exceptional Children Convention & Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information call 888-232-7733 or go to http://www.cec.sped.org.

4/06/2006 8:30am Impact of Depression - on Families presented by Kate McCracken, RN, LCSW at Lake Avenue Church, 393 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101. Visit http://www.familyresourcecenters.net. For more information, please call 800.485.6114 x644.
4/07/2006 8:00am Autism seminar - Early Identification of Autism in Infants/Toddlers and Intervention Approaches seminar in San Jose, CA. For more information go to www.idaofcal.org, call 916-453-8801.
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UPCOMING EFRC SUPPORT GROUPS:

For details, visit http://www.efrconline.org/efrc.cfm?pid=Support_Groups

4/02/2006 1:00pm Spina Bifida - Mommy & Me support group at North Crown Point Shores, Mission Bay Park. Call Erika at 619.806.9065 or Cindy at 619-885-1814 for more information.

4/03/2006 6:30pm ADHD Support Group - and informational meetings for adults with ADHD/ADD are held at Learning Development Services, 3754 Clairemont Drive, San Diego, CA 92117.For more information, call619-276-6912, visitwebsite or email .
4/03/2006 7:00pm Spina Bifida - Speaker topic - Family Counseling & More. Spina Bifida Association of Greater San Diego support group and meeting.Spanish translation will be provided.Call Laurel at 619.491.9018 or email for more information.Youth & Teen Group (celebrateSpring with makeovers, crafts andsnacks)meets separately, siblings welcome.
4/04/2006 6:00-7:30pm Support for Parents - of children with special needs at Mendoza Elementary School Library. Located at 2050 Coronado Avenue, San Diego, 92154. Supervised playtime by advanced reservation. Please call Mary at 858-569-5370 or Terri at 619-628-0990. View flyer.
4/05/2006 9:30-10:30am Autism - Support and information sharing for parents of children birth to five years old receiving Early Start or on-going Regional Center services at theSan Diego Regional Center, located at 1370 W. San Marcos Blvd, #100, San Marcos 92069. Call Jamie Michalski at 760-736-1200. View flyer.
4/05/2006 6:30pm Down syndrome Support Group - for families of young children with Down syndrome, from birth tofive years oldthe Harold J. Ballard Parent Center, located at 2375 Congress Street, San Diego 92110 (Old Town). Supervised play - must RSVP by calling Mary Ann at Exceptional Family Resource Center at 800-281-8252. View Flyer.


4/07/2006 9:30 a 11:00am Grupo de Apoyo - para familias de niños con necesidades especiales menores de 5 años.Lugar: Boys and Girls Club, 1430 D Avenue, National City. El cupo de guarderìa infantil es limitado, llame para hacer su reservación. Informes:Laura Cervantes (619)470-5227 o Tessie Salcedo 619-594-7391. Ver el Volante.
4/07/2006 9:30am Support Group - Resources for Students with Autism Parent Support Group at the Ballard Parent Center, located at2375 Congress Street in Old Town (San Diego 92110). Information about Regional Center will be presented byPhyllis Agundez, MSW.For parents of children newly diagnosed with Autism or young children with Autism - preschool age through elementary school.Childcare is not available. Call Julie Sandubrae at 858-490-8509. View Flyer.
4/08/2006 10:00am Dystonia - Support & advocacy group - will discuss "Treatments for Dystonia in 2006" at Grossmont Hospital in the main auditorium. For more information, please call Martha Murphy at 619-582-1961 or visit www.dystoniaofsandiego.com.

4/13/2006 6:30pm Síndrome de Down Grupo de Apoyo - para padres de niños (0-5 años de edad) que presentan Síndrome de Down. Lugar: Harold J Ballard Center,2375 Congress Street,San Diego, CA 92110 (Old Town). Para más informes, llame alEdna Frizzell al 619-594-7407.

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EDUCATION NEWS:

School funding -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and education leaders have no problem agreeing that the state needs to build and repair schools. But they remain far apart on how much California should spend on the instruction and learning that go on inside the state's classrooms. Clea Benson in the Sacramento Bee -- 3/12/06

IEP Boot Camp - Team of Advocates for Special Kids, Inc. California Military Outreach offers FREEfull-day workshop for military parents, teachers and professionals. Pre-Registration is required. Please callChris Bastian at (866) 609-3218 or (951) 609-3218 . Visitwww.TASKmil.org. View Flyer at http://www.efrconline.org/admin/files/IEP%20Boot%20Camp%20Workshop%20Flyer.doc
April 8, 2006 Murphy Canyon Housing, San Diego, May 13, 2006 Camp Pendleton USMC Oceanside or June 9, 2006 San Diego Naval Hospital.

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RECREATION:

City of Chula Vista Recreation Department Therapeutics Section:

4/04/2006 6:00pm Young Adult Club - for active young adults ages 16 and upwith developmental disabilities . The club is based out of Otay Recreation Center, 3554 Main Street,Chula Vista, 91911.The focus of this group is social interaction, leisure skills,community awareness and outings.

4/05/2006 4:30pm Wheely Sports - for active, sports-minded individuals ages 6 - 18 with physical disabilities. Meets at the Otay Recreation Center, located at 3554 Main Street, Chula Vista on Wednesday evenings. April 5, 12& 19.

4/06/2006 6:00pm Easter Egg Hunt - at the Chula Vista Woman's Club, located at357"G" Street, Chula Vista.

4/08/2006 9:00am-12:00noon Drop-In - for persons with developmental disabilities (age 6 and up) at the Parkway Community Center, located at 373 Park Way, Chula Vista. Free activities include music, dancing, art, games, sports, field trips and special events.


4/10/2006 Camp Sunrise - City of Chula Vista Recreation Department Therapeutics Section offers this inter-session camp forchildren, teens and adults (6+) with developmental disabilities and 6 - 16 year olds with physical disabilities. Camp held atthe Heritage Community Center, 1381 E. Palomar St, Chula Vista from April 10-14. March 27th is the registration deadline. $125 resident, $156.25 non-resident. www.chulavista.ca.gov/rec.

To register for all activities, call Carmel Wilson at 619-409-5800.

4/08/2006 12:00pm Fragile X - Awareness Day Kick-Off party at the home

of the Alvinito's - honoring Dr. Nick Cosford. Pool, astro jump, playground

and good company. RSVP to Denise, Jonathan or Anthony at

619-482-7000 or email .

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COMMUNITY NEWS:

San Diego Head Start – Apply now for free childcare for children with

disabilities. http://www.sandiegoheadstart.org.

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ONLINE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

"Partners in Time" is an eight-hour self-directed e-learning course created to help people with developmental disabilities, their parents, family members and friends, educators and service providers understand the history of society's treatment of people with disabilities from ancient times through the present. http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/history.
"Partners in Education" is a six-hour self-directed e-learning course to help parents with children with developmental disabilities better understand and maximize the benefits of special education services and inclusion for their children. http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/education. Updates to this course regarding the results of the IDEA reauthorization, now titled the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEIA), will be made when an accurate and comprehensive summary is available.
"Making Your Case" is a three-hour self-directed course on how to communicate with public officials by effectively telling your personal story, writing a letter, providing testimony, and communicating in positive ways. http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/makingyourcase to review the course. Please take a moment to complete the evaluation. We welcome your comments and feedback. Click here to download a course outline for Making Your Case.
"Partners in Employment" is a six-hour self-directed course on how to find a job, write a resume, participate in an interview, and plan for your career. http://www.partnersinpolicymaking.com/employment.